Humility

If you knew me, you would know that I absolutely tell way too many dad jokes. If you really knew, you’d know that I am passionate about Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Jesus. If you really, really knew me, you’d know that I changed my name when I turned 18 to match my great-grandfather's last name when he came over from Italy in the early 1900s. And in doing so, I took on a new identity. I didn’t stop being what I used to be. I can’t erase where I came from, what I have done, or my last name, but I assumed a new last name and took on the full identity of what that meant. And then I lived that out.

We’re going to talk a little bit tonight about the humble role Jesus took on, what it looks like to take on a humble role for us, and then how to walk that out.

We’re going to start out in John 1:14a

John 1:14a “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us...”

The verb does not mean "became" in the sense "was changed into," as when a cocoon is changed into a butterfly and thereby ceases to be a cocoon, but has the sense "took on" or "assumed," of the assuming of a new, additional form of existence, as when a woman becomes the mother of her firstborn.

Part of the wonder of Jesus becoming flesh is that the new form of existence that Christ assumed at that time was not temporary and reversible, but permanent and irreversible.

Jesus Christ is permanently the "God-Man"

The Logos (Word) became what he was not without ceasing to be what he was. His existence as a fully divine person was added to his existence as a fully human person. "The Word became a human being." John is saying that the personal, individualized Christ assumed a complete and genuine human existence.

Read the Story of the Footwashing. (Set the Story, Read— John 13:5-20)

Jesus noticed that his friend's feet we’re dirty, and Jesus responded by cleaning their feet. He was aware. How often do you feel aware of your surroundings? Are you aware when someone else is in need?

As you are walking through your high school and middle school, consider ways that you can love others well! Do you see trash on the ground or the tables that you could easily pick up? Do you see someone as they are walking through the hallway and struggling carrying a few items, do you go to help them? Do you notice the times that there are basketballs lying around the gym, yet leave them there for someone else to pick up?

These questions are not meant to bring upon any shame or guilt about seeing things that need to be done and not responding; they are designed to help to be more aware so that you can be more humble like Jesus as He chisels away everything that doesn’t belong in your life.

Just as the cacoon transforms into the Butterfly, when a woman transforms into a mother, and a Michelangelo transformed the disregarded stone slate into an angel, and how God, if you are willing, will transform you into being more like His Son, Jesus.

Humility isn’t simply an action alone, rather is a process of transformation.

So, my challenge to you is how are you going to become Humble to be more like Jesus?

In a moment Brandon is going to come up and instruct you on where to go for your Tribe Times. Let’s take a moment and pray.